WORTH THE FIGHTING FOR

John McCain has spent his career cultivating a reputation as a no-nonsense straight-shooter who isn't always politically correct and doesn't always follow conventional wisdom. In his autobiography, McCain discusses the triumphs and failures of his personal and political life. The book focuses primarily on McCain's political life, not his years as a POW in Vietnam. Whether discussing his ascension to power in Congress, his role in the savings & loan scandal, or his failure to be more candid on the presidential campaign trail, McCain sounds genuine. His reading is smooth and well paced, exuding a sincerity frequently missing when someone other than the author reads a political memoir. Unfortunately, economics seem to dictate that McCain's autobiography, like similar books, be abridged when an unabridged version would be welcome. D.J.S. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 03]